Acting as MC Michel Kerres, from NRC newspaper, during Q&A session, at the table Remco Breuker and Peter Potman.

By Guido Lanfranchi. On Tuesday May 22^nd, amid the rapid and tumultuous events occurring on the Korean peninsula, a large audience gathered at the Societeit De Witte, in the very center of The Hague, to attend the seminar: “Current Developments on the Korean Peninsula.” The event was organized thanks to a collaboration between the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Netherlands,  the Asia and Oceania Department, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Leiden Asia Centre and the Clingendael Institute.   North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un suddenly pledging to denuclearize, the leaders of the two Koreas meeting in Panmunjom and agreeing to work together on ending the Korean War, and Kim Jong-un scheduling a meeting with US President Donald Trump. All this in an outstandingly short amount of time. How could someone interested in the Korean peninsula keep track of all these developments and (at least try to) understand them? With this in mind, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Netherlands, the Leiden Asia Center and  the Clingendael Institute, organized a seminar on the “Current Developments on the Korean Peninsula.”

The event, which took place during the whole morning of Tuesday, May 22^nd, featured an outstanding panel of speakers. Among them, H.E.Mr. Lee Yun-Young, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Netherlands; Dr. Jun Bong-Geun, Advisor on the Inter-Korean Summit 2018; Professor Remco Breuker, lecturer of Korean Studies at Leiden University; Mr. Sico van der Meer, Research Fellow at Clingendael Institute; and Mr. Peter Potman, Director of Asia and Oceania Department at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. H.E. Ambassador Lee, highlighted in his speech the outstanding value of the Panmunjom meeting. He remembered that the meeting had been possible only because of previous diligent work by diplomats and functionaries from both sides. As for the future developments, Ambassador Lee stressed that “we Koreans have an aspiration for peace,” and that everyone in the peninsula will follow the negotiations’ developments very closely. As for the international community, he noted that international support to the talks will be more than needed in order to ensure a good outcome, which will benefit not only the Korean people, but also the whole international community. In his lecture, Dr. Jun Bong-Geun explored a wide array of questions related to the Korean peninsula. He analyzed the different aspects of inter-Korean relations, focusing on the issues of unification, security, and peace. Also, he outlined the political and economic landscape, both domestically and internationally, in which North and South Korea have acted in recent times, before moving to the current situation. Speaking about the recent talks, Dr. Jun Bong-Geom noted that the current negotiations are a purely political process, managed by strong political leaders, rather than a bureaucratic process. Moving then to potential future developments, Dr. Jun Bong-Geum presented four hypothetical scenarios: confrontation-containment, forced denuclearization, engagement, and peace-regime building. He stressed that, while denuclearization was a key term in the April 27^th Panmunjom declaration, there are different models of denuclearization, and it is still not clear if the many actors involved will be able to agree on one. Eschewing the idea of adopting past models, Dr. Jun Bong-Geum stressed the need of a unique ‘Korea-type’ solution, which should take into consideration both past experiences and the peculiarities of the Korean case. The lecture of Sico van der Meer, touched upon several similar issues. Mr. van der Meer outlined the possible outcomes of the newly established negotiation track between North Korea and the United States. He stressed that the leaders of both countries seem to have a strong political will to reach a deal, but he also noted that, in case of failure, a conflict would not be anymore such an unlikely scenario. Questioned by the audience, Mr. van der Meer touched upon another series of issues, such as the diplomatic negotiations ahead of the US-DPRK Singapore summit, North Korea’s shift away from its Byongjin policy, and the role of regional states (such as Japan) in the solution of the crisis.

Professor Remco Breuker shifted the attention of the audience towards another fundamental issue regarding North Korea: the problem of Human Rights. He noted that Human Rights discussions have been often left out of the negotiations’ agenda, both in the past and in the present talks. This has often been justified on the grounds that the resolution of the Korean conflict and a transition towards more prosperous economic models in North Korea would in the long run alleviate the Human Rights related problems. To the contrary, Prof. Breuker advocated the need for including Human Rights as a cornerstone of negotiations, if international rule of law is to have a meaning. Interestingly, he argued that the real problem is not North Korea having nuclear weapons, as in other situations in history this situation has already been handled (e.g. during the Cold War). Rather, the North Korean problem mostly lies in the country’s sociological, ideological system; therefore, he suggested, negotiators should talk about Human Rights at all costs. Mr. Peter Potman, from the Dutch Foreign Ministry started his speech by mentioning the long-lasting interest of Dutch people for Korea. He stressed that the Dutch government’s priority on the North Korean situation remains the issue of non-proliferation; unification, although significant, is not the primary concern. Mr. Potman voiced its support for a critical engagement aimed on the one hand at pressuring the North Korean regime to change its behavior, but on the other hand to avoid any escalations of tensions in the Korean peninsula. Also, Mr. Potman talked about the involvement of China in the negotiations with North Korea, expressing his conviction that China is playing and will play a role in shaping the outcome of the future talks. During the Q&A section, the audience had the possibility to ask more questions to the speakers. The questions focused on, among the many issues: the different perceptions of denuclearization held by the different actors involved; the role of Human Rights in the negotiations; the impact of sanctions on the North Korean economy and, especially, on its people. Since the day of the event, there have been even more frantic developments and plot twists. On May 24^th, the government of North Korea invited the international press to witness the destruction of its nuclear test site of Pungyye-ri, in order to show its goodwill concerning denuclearization. The very same day, on account of a recent verbal escalation over remarks by the US State Department and the North Korean Foreign Ministry, US President Trump temporarily called off the forthcoming meeting with Kim Jong-un. After further talks between US and North Korean officials, the two leaders rescheduled the historic meeting, which will take place on June 12^th in Singapore. Observers from all over the world are keen to see what will be the outcome of this meeting. Among the many people following the developments, those who participated to the seminar on May 22^nd will surely be better equipped to understand how events will unfold.

Nathalie Loiseau – Picture by French Embassy to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. 7 May 2018, Luxembourg City, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: French Minister for European Affairs, Nathalie Loiseau, was in the Grand Duchy for a tête-à-tête with the President of the European Investment Bank, Herr Werner Hoyer. Thereafter she took her time to encounter French functionaries employed at the European institutions with seat in Luxembourg. The latter was done through a reception hosted at the Résidence de France by Ambassador Bruno Perdu and his wife. Minister Loiseau partook at the ceremony inaugurating the new French lycée Vauban accompanied by HRH The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, and the country’s head of government, Xavier Bettel.

Sovereign Prince Albert II and Ambassador Buddhi Athauda – Picture by Gouvernement Princier de Monaco. Wednesday, 6 June, Paris: Sri Lanka was elected to the UNESCO intergovernmental committee for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. Sri Lanka was chosen to one of four seats available for the Asia-Pacific, in the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, for the period 2018-2022, at the election that took place in Paris during the 7th General Assembly of UNESCO, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka said in a press release. Delighted with his victory, His Excellency Ambassador Buddhi K. Athauda in Paris thanked all the ambassadors for voting for Sri Lanka and believe in Sri Lanka’s leadership at UNESCO. Eight countries contested from the Asia-Pacific Group, namely, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Malaysia, Palau and Sri Lanka. The countries that succeeded in being elected are:

• China with 123 votes
• Sri Lanka with 122 votes
• Japan with 107 votes
• Kazakhstan with 98 votes

The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage which became a milestone in the evolution of international policies for promoting cultural diversity was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2003 at its 32nd session. “Recognizing the need to safeguard the traditions and living expressions among communities in Sri Lanka as well as in other countries of the world that are inherited from our ancestors such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festivals, knowledge and practices concerning nature, and knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts, Sri Lanka became a State Party to the Convention in 2008,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said. This is the first time that Sri Lanka contested for a seat in the Committee since becoming a State Party to the Convention. “Sri Lanka recognizes that intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization, and that an understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities helps promote intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life. The decision to seek election to the Committee at this juncture is driven by the Government’s commitment to the process of reconciliation in the country through which Sri Lanka endeavors to preserve and promote ancient traditions of all communities in the country while fostering respect and understanding of each other’s ways of life, practices, customs and traditions.” “Sri Lanka is deeply appreciative of the invaluable support received from all the States Parties to the Convention that enabled Sri Lanka’s success at this election,” the Ministry statement added. For further information:

• UNESCO intergovernmental committee for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage: https://ich.unesco.org/en/functions-00586
• Functions of the Intergovernmental Committee for the …
• ich.unesco.org
• Embassy of Sri Lanka to France, Delegation to UNESCO (H.E. Ambassador Buddhi Athauda): http://www.srilankaembassy.fr

     

H.E. Mr. Dimitrios Chronopoulos, Ambassador of Greece, H.E. Andrea Gustovic-Ercegovac, Ambassador of Croatia, H.E. Aviv Shir-On Ambassador of Israel, Dr. Mayelinne De Lara, Diplomat Magazine’s Publisher, H.E. Regina Cordeiro-Dunlop, Ambassador of Brazil and Mr. Ronaldo Dunlop. By John Dunkelgrün. Israel is a small country surrounded almost completely by entities that are sworn to its destruction. One would think that this would result in an insular mentality, a shutting itself off from a hostile world. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Israel has taken in immigrants from all over the world and absorbed many cultures into its own strong identity. Nowhere is this more clear than in its cuisine. From the very beginning, the early immigrants from Eastern Europe mixed their foods with local foods from the Eastern Mediterranean. Then came Yemenites and Jews expelled from North Africa following the establishment of the State of Israel. Israel then was a poor country, but rich in good local produce, produce that is a staple of its cuisine to this very day as evidenced by its great and thriving food markets. For additional Robert Huibert’s pictures please open the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157696090793871

Spices like zatar, hummus and tejina, pita breads became as ubiquitous as challah and gefilte fish. By today its cooking has been spiced up by foods from a host of African countries, America’s and Asia. Young Israelis are inveterate travelers and they have brought tastes and recipes from literally all over the planet. This experience along with a growing economy resulted over the years in a unique Israeli cuisine with a bevy of chefs that are enjoying international renown. In recent years Israeli food has become fashionable as far away as New York and London. Some chefs, like Ottolenghi and his partner Sami Tamimi have become celebrities and household names all over the world.

Why is this? As H.E. Ambassador Aviv Shir-On explains, “Israeli chefs, coming from a myriad of cultures opened themselves to the world, traveled widely, taught and learned. They are not political, working with fellow chefs from everywhere and in the start-up country that Israel has become, there are many start-up initiatives in cooking as well. Partnering with Palestinian chefs, cooks from Mali, Asia and almost anywhere you care to name, Israeli chefs are in a very real sense cooking for peace. For example, a renowned Israeli chef Ram Shmueli cooked at a food festival in Vienna together with the chef of the American Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem, Mohammad al Jawi.”

It is lucky for The Netherlands that Mr. Patrick Aarsman, General Manager of the Promenade Crown Plaza Hotel included Israel in its series of international food festivals. He was lucky to get chefs like Jonathan Borowitz and Amid Aaronsohn to work alongside his own chef Sido de Brabander to prepare a magnificent spread of exquisite flavours. Your correspondent is not a professional food writer, but to put it succinctly, they made ordinary sounding dishes truly spectacular. Baby pita breads with lamb and a tahine sauce, beefsteak tartare and a spicy tomato fish stew among others were real taste sensations. Jonathan Borowitz considers it amazing that a country of just 70 years old with immigrants from so many countries has developed a real and recognizable Israeli cuisine. He attributes it to the terroir, the people, and the histories. Jewish holidays like the Shabat and Passover were celebrated with different dishes everywhere and they have come together in Israel. Thus food has become a way of communication. “We are now the third generation”, he said, “we cook from our memories but with modern, international, adaptations.” He worked for fifteen years for different Ministries, but the work didn’t touch him and he didn’t touch people with it. “I hope I can now touch you with my food. Food is a language, food makes people come together, maybe food will bring final peace”.

The opening evening of the festival was a great success, there were over one hundred people among which almost thirty ambassadors. They enjoyed the food, the cordiality that enjoying good food together can bring and, last but not least, the excellent wines. It is a sad thing that thinking about Israel has become overshadowed by thinking about the conflict, a conflict of two peoples living on the same land. Perhaps, by sharing the produce of the land, each other’s foods, learning cooking techniques and above all eating together may bring the peace for which so many millions are hungering

 

By Roy Lie Atjam. The Embassies of the Czech and Slovak Republic, along with Guitar@work hosted a Guitar Concert in The Hague, dedicated to the Centennial of the Founding and Independence of the two countries on 22nd May 2018. The venue of the concert was the monumental Residence of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic H.E. Mrs Jana Reinišová. The room was full to its capacity.

“The didactic projects, Guitar@Work wish to promote creativity, composition skills, and performance skills on the instrument. A previous cooperation with the Embassy of the Czech Republic, The ŠtěpánRak Guitar Competition (2017), succeded in promoting a contemporary classical Czech guitar soundscape, the guitar as a multifacted instrument, the compositions and innovative guitar technique of such a prolific Czech guitar composer as Mr. Rak, and the encounter of a variety of identities in the context of the welcoming Czech one, creating through music a bridge among them. For the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Czech and Slovak Republics the event opened with some welcome words from Mrs. Jana Reinišová to her residence. The concert opened afterwards with the Guitar@Work Orchestra performing a Czeck soundscape of guitar solos by ŠtěpánRak, some folk Slovak and Hungarian songs compiled by Béla Bartok and arranged specially for this occasion by Mariel Peñaloza Phd for the Orchestra, and an air of Spanish rhythms entered the baroque decorated room through the interpretation of a Rumba alla Rak. The Guitar@Work Orchestra is a unique ensemble of different nationalities gathered by their love for the guitar, created by PhD. Mariel Peñaloza in 2011 with the idea of making an orchestra of the small orchestras that guitars already are.

It works as an ongoing project to promote ensemble work and to enjoy playing together. Its members have all different ages and nationalities, and come from different schools in the region, namely the International School of The Hague, The Haagse Montessori Lyceum, or the Bonaventura College in Leiden. An example of how different identities can come together in the joyful space offered by music to celebrate such an important occasion as the Centennial Anniversary of the Czech and Slovak Republics. The main part of the concert was the performance of the talented Czech guitar player and composer David Wurczel performing some of his compositions, one of them, Opus 8, a premier that evening. David Wurczel started with a classic theme for guitar, the Romance Anónimo, but after the first section he moved to a more personal interpretation, making use of the unique technique for the right hand he has developed and which he has named rotando. This technique has already been recognized and admired by music professionals and international audiences alike.

It is a special combination of rotating rasgueado, tremolo and an orchestral approach to guitar performance. Often it sounds as if there were more guitarists playing at the same time. This polyphonic approach is the main aspect of Wurczel’s style, which is also why he is not just a guitar composer but an orchestral music composer as well. In his own words, this would not have been possible if he had not met prof. ŠtěpánRak, who inspired him with his very unique and virtuoso style of guitar performance and composing. David and prof. Rak released a Christmas CD in 2011 together, and that year marked David’s first concerts as a guest of prof. ŠtěpánRak. After several years of playing common concerts, David, a guitarist trained by the performances with prof. Rak& other renowned concert musicians, went on to perform as a solo player. With his other interpretations of that evening, Universe Suite and a Tormenta, literally an impressive storm of sounds, we could participate in his passionate way of performing and his contemporary and fresh approach to composing for the instrument. He finished with Rak’sDance around the linden tree, as a respectful homage to the composer, and the audience was granted an encore to close such a great guitar performance with some more of Wurczel’s magic.” End quote. After the guitar concert Ambassador Jana Reinišová thanked the performers, all received a certificate of participation. She further offered Czech chocolates to all the young performers and also thanked Mr. David Wurczel and madam Mariel Peñaloza, they received Czech wine. The evening ended with a reception, the many guests including Ambassador Jana Reinišová colleagues, Indonesia, Korea, Estonia and others, had the opportunity to mingle with the composer and performers. It has been a pleasurable guitar concert. ————- Photography copyright: © Wurczel.